THE LOCAL NEWS OF THE MADISON VALLEY, RUBY VALLEY AND SURROUNDING AREAS

Johnson & Johnson vaccine to come soon

Madison County COVID & Vaccination Update

From Feb. 21-28, Madison County reported 17 new coronavirus cases. Two new hospitalizations occurred within the past seven days, and 46 residents were quarantined. Madison County will receive 200 doses of coronavirus vaccination this week, 100 for Madison Valley Medical Center and 100 for Ruby Valley Medical Center.

Madison County Public Health Nurse Melissa Brummell said Madison County can expect doses of the recently authorized Johnson & Johnson one-dose vaccine in the near future.

According to a press release from Sen. Daines’ office, Montana should begin receiving 8,700 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine later this week. Madison County will receive 100 Johnson & Johnson doses.

As of March 2, Madison County had 474 fully immunized residents, 1,339 first doses administered and 1,813 total doses administered.

Brummell said the waitlists for Phase 1B are growing smaller.

“It continues to be extremely important if you fall into that category to call the facilities and get on the list so we can continue to distribute. You’re not taking anybody’s place, but we do want to keep vaccinating as many people as we can until we are cleared to finally move into the 1C category,” she said.

In a press call on Feb. 25, Sen. Jon Tester emphasized his goal of getting a vaccine into the arm of every Montanan that wants one, and as the Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee, especially focusing on not leaving behind any veterans wanting a vaccine.

“I think where the concern is… is vaccine hesitancy,” Sen. Tester said. “And I think we need to do an educational program in the VA.” He promoted providing individuals with scientific evidence relating to the vaccinations to help eliminate vaccine hesitancy. Sen. Tester felt the problem may soon change from not having enough vaccines to not having enough people wanting to receive them.

Sen. Tester received both doses of his COVID-19 vaccination.

“It’s like taking a giant weight off your shoulders,” he said.

A press release from Gov. Greg Gianforte’s office on Feb. 24 highlighted Montana as the number one state in the nation for vaccine administration.

Montana’s percent of population that has received at least one dose of coronavirus vaccination falls at 15.8%, compared to the national 13.4%. The percentage of Montana’s population with both vaccines received is 6.8%, compared to the national 6%.

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The Madisonian

65 N. MT Hwy 287
Ennis, MT 59729
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Cori Koenig, editor: editor@madisoniannews.com
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